Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-02-04
CHAPTER VII.

| follow the suggestions of Mrs. Arnold
and "ship the hired girl there was a
twinge of conscience in the thought.
Somehow Mrs. Stuart saw SO many
loveable qualities in Helen that the
more she thought of her the more she
regretted parting with her.
Mrs. Arnold and her ambitious daugh.
ter, Halle, noticed with some alarm
that two or three days had elapsed since
Warren's departure and that the .hired
girl had not been shipped" They
began to devise some plan to stimulate
the good people to action. Mrs. Ar
mold was good General, not only to
plan, but also to execute. Dressed out
in hex Sunday suit and gold spectacles,
holding her head high, and skirts above
her shoe-tops, she started out to call
upon her neighbors. Wherever she
went there was series of stories Just
slightly touched with scandal and con-
tanning great deal of mystery in the
back ground to draw differences from,
pointing to poor Helen and the farm
,er's absent son. The stereotyped innu,
endo of "they say" was used with ex.
traordinary freedom, as though that
earnest, high-looking woman, who
worked so faithfully for the good of
her neighbors, had a special claim on
"they say" These stories gained as they
were repeated, until the farmer was in
formed that his son actually designed
clipping with Helen on his return from
Chicago, and leaving the little cripple
for Mr.. Stuart to maintain or send TO
the poor-house.
Poor Helen, the innocent cause of all
these rumors, was working diligently
as house servant, and almost wholly
| ignorant of the malicious ISLANDERS
designed to defame her character. She
was considerably depressed in spirits
since Warren's sudden declaration of
love and his departure for Chicago.
80, why did he say he loved me P"
she asked herself. at will only add to
my misfortune; it only increases my
humiliation, and she wrung her hands,
while the tears trickled down her
cheeks.
"Sister Helen" said little Amos, who
sat in low chair near her, looking in
her sad face, "why do you cry P"
Never mind me, little brother
never mind me. / will tell you pleas
ant story when | get my work done. "
There was no one in the kitchen save
herself and her little brother.
Il dreamed last night purity dream,
sister, oh, SO purity" said Amos.
What was it, little brother?'
Il dreamed saw thousand angels
a fiyin' through the air
THAT was a delightful dream, little
brother"
"Oh, it was so NICE" cried the little
fellow, elapping his hands at the glo-
rious remembrances the dream revived.
Il hope we will see the angels when
we die"
"And there was such nice music, oh,
sister! never heard the like. Great
big harps and organs seemed TO be
playin' all over the sky. Is Heaven
that nice?"
Yes, brother, and much nicer than
you could imagine"
AN, oh, sister, my back was
straight, an | could walk an run like
other boys; an could fly, cause 1
seemed to have wings"
you was an angel. little brother"
said Helen, working to crowd down the
sad emotions which arose in her heart
Il want to be an angel, agin, sister, :"
said the little cripple. "Oh, | get so
tired sitting here all day, an / cant
walk round much, only wiz my
crutches, an if / was an angel an
could fly it would be so nice"
You will be an angel some day. lit
tie brother, because you are good
but it's so long to wait, an / jst
git tired sittin' here an waitin' an
waitin'," said the child, whose poor
little crippled body prevented his
enjoying much of childhood's happi-
ness
you must learn to be patient,
brother" said his sister, her face red
with the exercise of handling pots and
kettles.
Il am, sister Helen; can be patient,
COS you are with me, but oh, if should
be left without you; if God should take
you home in Heaven as He did mamma
and papa, then what would become Of
me ?'
Helen did not risk an answer for a
few moments; then told him that he
must not talk so; God took care Of His
little children.
"But you take care Of me- said
Amos.
at is God, little brother, that gives
me the strength and desire 10 work for
you. II is God that sent Us to these
good people, where / am able to make
a living for both of u.s."
..But where is Mr.. Warren, who
used to play with me, and talk 10 you,
sister," asked the boy.
"He has gone to Chicago"
where is thats"
"a great way Off.
"Will he ever come back?"
30 yes, l hope he will. Helen spoke
unconsciously the true desire of her
heart
Since the departure Of Warren her
burden seemed doubly great. and the
scowl upon the face Of Mr.. Stuart
grew darker every day. She came to
fear him, and little Amos. who used to
prattle fearlessly to the farmer. was
now a~ed into silence bv his dark pres
ence. Helen had just finished sweep
ing the house and was congratulating
herself On . few moments rest this
warm afternoon, when the door opened
and Mrs. Stuart entered the kitchen.
She had some money in her hard. and